Top Picks for 2026
Epson EcoTank ET-3850
Tank system, auto-duplex, ADF, wireless. Lowest cost per page with included 2-year ink supply.
$350-400
Check PriceCanon PIXMA TS3520
Budget all-in-one with wireless, mobile printing, and decent photo quality.
$60-80
Check PriceHP OfficeJet Pro 9125e
Fast, secure, with Smart Tasks automation. Best app experience.
$280-330
Check PriceCanon PIXMA PRO-200
8-color dye ink system for gallery-quality prints up to 13x19".
$500-600
Check PriceInkjet vs Laser: Which Technology?
| Factor | Inkjet | Laser |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | Lower ($50-400) | Higher ($150-600) |
| Cost Per Page | Higher (unless tank) | Lower |
| Print Speed | Slower (8-25 ppm) | Faster (20-50 ppm) |
| Photo Quality | Excellent | Poor to Fair |
| Maintenance | Ink can dry out | Toner lasts indefinitely |
| Best For | Photos, color, home | High volume, text, office |
Quick Decision Guide
- Choose Inkjet if: You print photos, need color quality, print less than weekly, or want affordable upfront cost.
- Choose Laser if: You print mostly text, print daily, need speed, or want lowest cost per page.
Tank vs Cartridge: The Cost Revolution
Tank printers (EcoTank, MegaTank, Smart Tank) have transformed inkjet economics. Instead of expensive cartridges, you refill reservoirs from bottles.
Cartridge Printers
- Upfront: $50-150
- Per page: $0.10-0.25
- Cartridge life: 100-500 pages
- Pros: Cheap to buy, compact
- Cons: Expensive over time, frequent replacements
Tank Printers
- Upfront: $200-500
- Per page: $0.003-0.02
- Included ink: 2-3 years worth
- Pros: Massive savings, less waste
- Cons: Higher initial cost, larger size
The Math
Printing 100 pages/month for 2 years:
- Cartridge printer: $80 printer + $480 ink = $560 total
- Tank printer: $280 printer + $0 ink (included) = $280 total
Features That Actually Matter
Auto-Duplex (2-sided printing)
Essential for saving paper and printing professional documents. Manual duplex is tedious.
MUST HAVEADF (Auto Document Feeder)
For scanning multi-page documents without manual page-by-page feeding. Critical for home offices.
RECOMMENDEDWireless Connectivity
WiFi, WiFi Direct, AirPrint, and mobile app support. Standard in 2026 but verify compatibility.
MUST HAVETouchscreen Display
Makes setup and operation easier, but adds cost. Not essential for simple home use.
NICE TO HAVESecurity Features
Important for home offices handling sensitive data. HP Wolf and Brother Secure lead here.
RECOMMENDED FOR WORKBest Printer By Use Case
For Students
Need: Low upfront cost, wireless, basic scanning. Print volume: 20-50 pages/month.
Recommendation: Canon PIXMA TS3520 ($70) or HP DeskJet 4255e with free Instant Ink plan
For Families
Need: Photos + documents, reliable, low running costs. Print volume: 50-150 pages/month.
Recommendation: Epson EcoTank ET-2850 ($280) - pays for itself within a year
For Home Office
Need: Speed, ADF, security, reliability. Print volume: 100-300 pages/month.
Recommendation: HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e ($300) or Brother MFC-J4535DW ($220)
For Small Business
Need: High speed, high capacity, low cost per page. Print volume: 500+ pages/month.
Recommendation: Brother HL-L6400DW laser ($550) or Epson WorkForce Pro WF-C5890 ($700)
True Cost Analysis
The printer's purchase price is just the beginning. Here's what 2 years of ownership actually costs:
| Printer | Price | Ink (2 yrs)* | Total | Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank ET-2850 | $280 | $0 | $280 | $0.003 |
| HP DeskJet + Instant Ink | $80 | $144 | $224 | $0.06 |
| Canon PIXMA (cartridge) | $70 | $350 | $420 | $0.12 |
| Brother Laser HL-L2460DW | $170 | $90 | $260 | $0.03 |
*Based on 100 pages/month average printing
Final Advice for 2026
- 1. Calculate total cost of ownership - not just the purchase price.
- 2. Buy a tank printer if you print 50+ pages monthly. The math always works out.
- 3. Get auto-duplex - you'll use it more than you think.
- 4. Skip features you won't use - fax, CD printing, oversized paper.
- 5. Test before buying if possible - use our free test pages.